Md. man sentenced in sexual offense, attemped rape case

WASHINGTON – A Rockville man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty in February to first-degree attempted rape and first-degree sexual offense.

On Oct. 26, 2010, Roberto Cruz Gonzales, 20, followed a woman through the Aspen Hill Shopping Center on Connecticut Avenue in Rockville, Md. Court documents show that the woman crossed Connecticut Avenue onto Independence Street, where Gonzales attacked her from behind and forced her down an embankment into a wooded area.

Gonzales attempted to rape her, then forced his penis into her mouth, according to the statement of charges filed by the victim. She bit down, possibly drawing blood, and Gonzales fled the scene.

Montgomery County police analyzed evidence gathered from the scene and from the victim at the hospital. They also watched surveillance video from the shopping center. After determining that Gonzales was a suspect, they analyzed DNA collected from discarded latex gloves Gonzales was wearing. It matched some of the DNA collected from the crime scene and victim.

Of the years Gonzales will serve, 15 years are for attempted rape, according to a press release from the State’s Attorney for Montgomery County. His sentence for first-degree sexual offense is life in prison, of which he will serve only 25 years.

Gonzales must register for life as a sex offender, stay away from the Aspen Hill Shopping Center and have no contact with the victim. Upon his release, he will be on probation for five years. If he re-offends during that time, he faces the possibility of serving the rest of the life-in-prison sentence.